
[Sept.] 2. Elder Tangreen and I left Pesega about 8 or 9 oclock and had no sooner left than it started to rain. It came down hard for nearly an hour but we were prepared for rain and did not get wet.
At Malu we visited a family where the head man was sick unto death. We held prayer with them and tried to // comfort them.
We continued our journey to Xxxxxx and remained there a few hours visiting Saints and the native missionaries Upulosi. Leaving there we continued on to Tifitifi and visited other families of saints and strangers. We also met Elder E.P. Christensen here waiting on a man sick with Sanatoto. He had administered to the man and he was nearly well. The family were trying to run the Elder away and after we left they succeeded in telling him to go. The family divided and part left with the missionary.
We continued our journey from Tifitifi to Salovi, visited few minutes then hurried on hoping that Elder Tangreen might catch a boat along the coast going to Manou.
He was unsuccessful in catching a boat so returned to Salovi and I went to Sauniatu. It proved best also for Bro Ima as he met the man he wanted to see.
When I reached Sauniatu, Willie and Ellen gave me a hearty welcome. // My horse was cared for by the China boy and Willie and I proceeded to visit around on the plantation.
[Sept.] 3. Willie and I walked out over another part of the plantation and returned, held a meeting at 8 A.M. at which I presided and conducted and sang and preached. After meeting, a good breakfast was served up then we talked until noon when we prepared and went to Salovi to afternoon meeting.
It was decided to hold meeting in the village house as Fiti who had come from Manous was there and was sick.
After meeting Willie and Ellen returned to Sauviatu but I remained with Bro. Ima in Salovi. We took a pleasant evening walk out on the German plantation. Walking out among the coconut groves where many hundreds of cattled were feeding. It reminded me of our mountain range covered with pines I could hardly keep Bro. Ima from trying to tail an ox. //
[Sept.] 4 This morning we went over and talked with Tuanonofa who claimed to have left the church. We found him in good Spirits and had a long talk with him but he said he did not care to come back now. Bro Ima said it was good for the church as he was considerable hinderance anyhow. His family all remained in the church but his wife who never was in the church.
After visiting with Taunonofa we prepared to go to Sauniatu in a buggy when Bro. Evata came along and we changed our plans. Bro Evata and I went to Sauniatu and Br. Ima remained in Salovi.
Tonight Bro. Evata and I went out to swim in the ocean. We striped off necked got into a native canoe and just set out fine when we got out about 200 yards over went the canoe and under the salt water we went. We swam around had a nice time, returned to shore, washed off in fresh water and rolled into bed. //
[Sept.] 5 I left Sauniatu about 9 oclock with Willie in the buggy and went to Solovi. Met Bro Ima and together we journeyed for Pesega arrived there in the evening and held mutual. We discussed news items from our last mail and Bro Ima lectured to me on the Life of Franklin taken from his Autobiography. (( Benjamin Franklin wrote a series of autobiographical stories from 1771 to 1790. It was unfinished when he died but was published in various forms after his death. It is best known under the title The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. ))
Returning from our trip to Sisifo I began to organize my work and prepare the books for the quarterly report. I also decided to plan my work and work to my plan being subject somewhat to circumstances.
I made out the following plan which I hope to carry out.–
6 A.M. arise and toilet.
7 A.M. prayer and breakfast.
8 Study or work on books.
12 Dinner
1-3 buisness
3-5 Visit and proselyte
5 Exercise.
6 Supper
7 Visit or read
10 Bed Time //
[Sept.] 20 I found the scheme a great help and time saver.
I prepared the books then while waiting for reports from Conferences I visited Saints and Strangers and there seems to be very bright prospects at our branch.
Oct 1st Report were rec’d from some of the conferences then I made up the mission Reports and sent off.
Oct 15 For the past two weeks I have been visiting with quite good success. I am teaching some English songs to our village and hope to take a big crowd to Conference.
Oct 26 We hired the boat of Saimasina and at 4 P.M. we gathered in Apia. There were also 6 other boats going from Apia to Sauniatu. It looked as if Samoa had turned Mormona all in a bunch. At 5 we were all out on the great Pacific and owing to the bad sea we turned in before leaving the reef and slept in Vailele. Mayalogo sent us food for the Missionaries and so we ate our little meal and all laid down together there were // Bro and Sis. Hinck (( Joseph Peter Hinck (1875 –1961) and Minnie Rosetta Swainston (1882 –1964) married in 1900. They had no chidlren. They served from Oct 22, 1911—Feb 8, 1912, when they were released due to illness. )) who had just arrived on their second mission Bro. and Sis. Jensen, Bro Rigby and myself. The house we slept in was the home of an old apostate and he made no offer of comfort for us but we thanked him for what he didn’t do and about 5 next morning left for Sauniatu.
At Fusi we met Bro Wilcox with three horses. The two sisters and I rode, I riding bear back. It was a lovely ride up over the mountain trail in the early morning and as we traveled near to Sauniatu, we saw how they had made roads etc. for Conf. As we came insight of the village we could hear the sound of voices echoing out of the wilderness and the music of the Tutuila band playing a dear old Church Hymn.
A fine new bridge was suspended over the river—making a beautiful and convenient entrance into the village.
That evening we held a meeting for the missionaries and there were present // white missionaries from Zion.
It was a splendid opening meeting for Conference.
[Oct.] 28 Next morning Conference commenced
[Oct.] 29 there were between 450 and 500 natives present. The meetings were all well attended and over flow meeting were also held. The singing was beautiful, the sermons short, spicy, and to the point. They were intersperced with songs from Tutuila and Tonga. I dismissed the first seccession and also had the priviledge of reading and sustaining names of the Authorities.
I was released from Mission Secretary and my companion Elder Jensen appt. I was released with a vote of thanks and sent back to Pesega to preside in the Branch and also help Bro. Osi on the books.
I was also appointed to make out the yearly reports.
I also confirmed three members of the church who were baptized at Conf. Magalogo my old stand by at Pesega was ordained a priest. //
[Oct.] 30 We held a very nice party at Taniva inviting white and native missionaries and their wives.
Elder Tangreen and I were appt. to act as master of cermnoy and Judge.
Nov. 2. We returned to Pesega and I began immediately to balc. Books and copy up records. As I completed the records I gave them to Bro Jensen.
[Nov.] 7. Books all turned over to Bro Jensen. Today we had a house cleaning and I moved from the office. Bro and sister Jensen taking possession of it.
[Nov.] 12 Owing to the gathering of Elders I knew to be coming to Pesega I appt. each family a day to bring food. They all responded heartily and even though we gave three baskets full away some spoilt on our hands.
[Nov.]17. elders meeting held here at Pesega. Elder Jensen was set apart as Mission secretary. Pres. McBride made a speech thanking me for the diligent work and again tendered me a vote of thanks. Elder D.L. Hogan, E.P.Christensen, (( Edward Peter Christensen, b. 1885, served from Feb 17, 1908—Nov 17, 1911. He was from Bountiful, UT. )) & J. L. Lisonbee left Samoa for their homes having filled // long faithful missions.
[Nov.] 18 Being rid of most of the crowd we can again settle down to work.
[Nov.] 19 At meeting today I turned the time to Bro “Tana” (( Samoan name for President Don Carlos McBride. )) and Bro “Pita” (( Samoan name for Wilford Christian Petersen. ))
[Nov.] 20 Spent today visiting saints and proselyting. Had some good Gospel conversations with non members.
[Nov.] 21 According to previous arrangement I together with the saints of Pesega branch held a fast day for Ioane who has been sick for a long time. At 4 P.M. Bro Tana, Bro Ima and I went to visit them. We held prayer administered to him and then ate supper with them. Ioane felt better immediately and ate a big supper.
[Nov.] 22 Two years ago today I left home for the mission field. Today I rec’d a nice letter from Father with $15.00 which I turned over to Bro. Osi. (( Samoan name for Louis John Jensen. )) Bro Pita and I washed our cloth.
[Nov.] 23 Bro Hickman, who was down from Sauniatu, and I visited saints and non members around in the village. We were very kindly treated and had several good Gospel conversations. // We visited the Chinese Consulate and spent a pleasant evening with them. The loaned us a Chinese English dictionary which also contained the teachings of their great profet Confucious.
[Nov.] 24 Studied most of the day and held Relief society meeting at night.
[Nov.] 25. Worked around the place, washed clothes, studied and visited.
(To be continued)
More favorites:
” The house we slept in was the home of an old apostate and he made no offer of comfort for us but we thanked him for what he didn’t do …”
“The singing was beautiful, the sermons short, spicy, and to the point.”
Another interesting series of entries. I liked this:
“which also contained the teachings of their great profet Confucious.”